Procedure prep
Fasting Before Squint (Strabismus) Surgery
Squint surgery adjusts the muscles that move the eye to straighten its position. It's most often done in children under a general anesthetic as day surgery. For little ones, getting the fasting times right and watching for last-minute colds matter most.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Most children take no regular medicines — tell the team about any they do take.
- Children's pain relief (paracetamol/ibuprofen) — ask what's allowed and when.
- For adults having squint surgery: blood thinners need a plan. See medications to stop.
- Mention any allergies, asthma inhalers, or previous reactions to anesthesia in the family.
When this surgery may be delayed
- A cold, cough, fever or chest infection — children's airways are sensitive, so surgery is often postponed
- A sticky, red or infected eye
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Your child ate or drank outside the fasting times
- Your child seems generally unwell on the day
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and the hospital paperwork or appointment letter
- Your child's red book / health record and any medicine details
- Orthoptic (eye) clinic letters and glasses if worn
- A favourite comfort toy, and a drink and snack for afterward
- Two adults for the journey home if possible — one to comfort, one to drive
What to ask your anesthesia team
- What are my child's exact fasting times?
- Will the eye look red or bruised, and for how long?
- Could there be double vision afterward, and is that normal?
- Will my child still need glasses after the surgery?
- What pain relief can I give, and when is follow-up?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Will my child's eye look red after squint surgery?
Yes — the white of the eye is usually red and sometimes a little lumpy where the muscles were adjusted, and this can last a few weeks before fading. It looks more alarming than it feels. Your team will give eye drops and tell you what's normal and what to report.
Will squint surgery mean my child no longer needs glasses?
Not necessarily. Squint surgery straightens the eye's position, but it doesn't correct long- or short-sightedness, so children who needed glasses for focusing usually still need them afterward. Your eye team will explain what to expect for your child specifically.
Is double vision normal after squint surgery?
Some children and adults notice temporary double vision as the brain adjusts to the eyes' new alignment, and it usually settles. In adults it's discussed beforehand as a possibility. Mention any persistent double vision at follow-up so it can be checked.